03/27/2026
Sardi’s, the iconic NYC Theater District restaurant, famed for its walls of caricatures of show business celebrities past and present, will temporarily close its doors on June 24th for renovations after nearly 100 years in business. Owner Max Klimavicius, who worked his way up from kitchen assistant to owner, sold the restaurant along with the Sardi’s name, kitchen fixtures and more than 1,000 caricatures to the Shubert Organization, which also owns the building as well as 17 Broadway theaters. Thankfully the Shubert Organization plans to focus its renovations on infrastructure including lighting, ventilation & plumbing and will leave the restaurant’s signature decor including its burgundy banquettes and caricature artwork intact (swipe left for 2nd photo).
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Vincent Sardi & his wife Eugenia founded the restaurant in 1927 and kept it open much later than others in the area to accommodate the schedule of Broadway performers & it soon became a popular spot for actors, producers, press agents & drama 🎭 critics to drink & dine. As a way to attract new customers, Vincent came up with the idea to have caricatures drawn of his famous clientele & hired Russian artist Alex Gard to draw Broadway celebrities in exchange for 1 meal a day at the restaurant. After Alex Gard passed away, Don Bevan followed by Richard Baratz became the caricature artist.
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We hope the Shubert Organization plans to keep the restaurant’s gorgeous neon sign lit (swipe left fur 3rd photo) as we love how it lights up West 44th Street!
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Please share your memories of dining and drinking at Sardi’s as we fondly remember some great conversations with Joseph, the longtime bartender.
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